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Business Editor, Freelance Journalist Die in Separate Incidents


Mafirakureva’s colleague, Sunday News senior business reporter, Roberto Katunga, escaped with some injuries and was admitted to a Harare hospital after their car collided with a bus. (Courtesy Image)
Mafirakureva’s colleague, Sunday News senior business reporter, Roberto Katunga, escaped with some injuries and was admitted to a Harare hospital after their car collided with a bus. (Courtesy Image)

Chronicle business editor, Mernat Mafirakureva, died Wednesday night when a car he was travelling in was involved in an accident along the Masvingo-Harare highway.

Mafirakureva’s colleague, Sunday News senior business reporter, Roberto Katunga, escaped with some injuries and was admitted to a Harare hospital after their car collided with a bus.

According to the police, the accident also claimed the life of one passenger in the bus which was travelling to South Africa.

The two were going for a tourism symposium in the capital.

Acting Chronicle editor, Innocent Madonko, described Mafirakureva as a hardworking, intelligent and resourceful journalist.

His family members said they are still trying to establish the circumstances leading to the accident.

His death follows that of freelance journalist, Zeacheaus Nemadire, who died Tuesday outside his home in what police are treating as a murder case.

Police spokesperson, Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba, said investigations in both cases are in progress.

In a statement, the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists secretary general, Foster Dongozi, said journalists and journalism had been dealt a severe blow as the two had died a few hours apart.

He said the double tragedy reinforces their call for the safety of journalists in the country.

MISA Zimbabwe director, Nhlanhla Ngwenya, described the death of the two journalists as heartbreaking.

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